The
experimental
dimension in
mathematical
research
problems
Gilles Aldon
Viviane
Durand-
Guerrier
The context of
the research
Questions
The schoolcontext
The
experimental
part of maths
example 1
example 2
Presentation
of the resource
EXp�erimenter des Probl�emes de Recherche
Innovants en Math�ematiques �a l'Ecole
The experimental dimension in mathematical
research problems
Gilles Aldon
Viviane Durand-Guerrier
INRP, �equipe maths
LEPS, Universit�e de Lyon
EXp�erimenter Probl�emes Recherche Innovants Math�ematiques Ecole
July 13, 2007
The
experimental
dimension in
mathematical
research
problems
Gilles Aldon
Viviane
Durand-
Guerrier
The context of
the research
Questions
The schoolcontext
The
experimental
part of maths
example 1
example 2
Presentation
of the resource
EXPRIME
Gilles Aldon (INRP, IREM)
Pierre-Yves CAHUET, professeur en lyc�ee, (IREM)
Jean DERUAZ, professeur en lyc�ee, (IREM)
Thierry DIAS, Universit�e Lyon 1 (LEPS, IUFM)
Viviane DURAND-GUERRIER, didacticienne, Universit�e
Lyon 1 (LEPS, IUFM, IREM)
Mathias FRONT, professeur en lyc�ee, formateur
d'enseignant (IREM, IUFM)
Didier KRIEGER, professeur en lyc�ee, (IREM)
Michel MIZONY, math�ematicien, Universit�e Lyon 1 (UFR
de math�ematiques, IREM)
Claire TARDY, formatrice d'enseignants (IREM,IUFM)
The
experimental
dimension in
mathematical
research
problems
Gilles Aldon
Viviane
Durand-
Guerrier
The context of
the research
Questions
The schoolcontext
The
experimental
part of maths
example 1
example 2
Presentation
of the resource
EXp�erimenter des Probl�emes de Recherche
Innovants �a l'Ecole
1 The context of the research
Questions
The school context
2 The experimental part of maths
example 1
example 2
3 Presentation of the resource
The
experimental
dimension in
mathematical
research
problems
Gilles Aldon
Viviane
Durand-
Guerrier
The context of
the research
Questions
The schoolcontext
The
experimental
part of maths
example 1
example 2
Presentation
of the resource
The experimental dimension in mathematical
research problems
Theoretical references :
theory of situations of Brousseau
mathematics
the place of the mathematical objects (Quine, Frege,
Gardies)
The
experimental
dimension in
mathematical
research
problems
Gilles Aldon
Viviane
Durand-
Guerrier
The context of
the research
Questions
The schoolcontext
The
experimental
part of maths
example 1
example 2
Presentation
of the resource
The experimental dimension in mathematical
research problems
Theoretical references :
theory of situations of Brousseau
mathematics
the place of the mathematical objects (Quine, Frege,
Gardies)
The
experimental
dimension in
mathematical
research
problems
Gilles Aldon
Viviane
Durand-
Guerrier
The context of
the research
Questions
The schoolcontext
The
experimental
part of maths
example 1
example 2
Presentation
of the resource
The experimental dimension in mathematical
research problems
Theoretical references :
theory of situations of Brousseau
mathematics
the place of the mathematical objects (Quine, Frege,
Gardies)
The
experimental
dimension in
mathematical
research
problems
Gilles Aldon
Viviane
Durand-
Guerrier
The context of
the research
Questions
The schoolcontext
The
experimental
part of maths
example 1
example 2
Presentation
of the resource
Research problem
"In a mountain hike one needs a goal, but the main interest of
hiking is not the goal but the walk"
Jean-Yves Girard (2007)
Using "research problems" in the classroom in order to develop
scienti�c methods;
heuristics;
reasoning
They can, also give sense to some concepts
and make the learners construct mathematical notions by
themselves
The
experimental
dimension in
mathematical
research
problems
Gilles Aldon
Viviane
Durand-
Guerrier
The context of
the research
Questions
The schoolcontext
The
experimental
part of maths
example 1
example 2
Presentation
of the resource
Research problem
"In a mountain hike one needs a goal, but the main interest of
hiking is not the goal but the walk"
Jean-Yves Girard (2007)
Using "research problems" in the classroom in order to develop
scienti�c methods;
heuristics;
reasoning
They can, also give sense to some concepts
and make the learners construct mathematical notions by
themselves
The
experimental
dimension in
mathematical
research
problems
Gilles Aldon
Viviane
Durand-
Guerrier
The context of
the research
Questions
The schoolcontext
The
experimental
part of maths
example 1
example 2
Presentation
of the resource
Research problem
"In a mountain hike one needs a goal, but the main interest of
hiking is not the goal but the walk"
Jean-Yves Girard (2007)
Using "research problems" in the classroom in order to develop
scienti�c methods;
heuristics;
reasoning
They can, also give sense to some concepts
and make the learners construct mathematical notions by
themselves
The
experimental
dimension in
mathematical
research
problems
Gilles Aldon
Viviane
Durand-
Guerrier
The context of
the research
Questions
The schoolcontext
The
experimental
part of maths
example 1
example 2
Presentation
of the resource
Research problem
"In a mountain hike one needs a goal, but the main interest of
hiking is not the goal but the walk"
Jean-Yves Girard (2007)
Using "research problems" in the classroom in order to develop
scienti�c methods;
heuristics;
reasoning
They can, also give sense to some concepts
and make the learners construct mathematical notions by
themselves
The
experimental
dimension in
mathematical
research
problems
Gilles Aldon
Viviane
Durand-
Guerrier
The context of
the research
Questions
The schoolcontext
The
experimental
part of maths
example 1
example 2
Presentation
of the resource
Research problem
"In a mountain hike one needs a goal, but the main interest of
hiking is not the goal but the walk"
Jean-Yves Girard (2007)
Using "research problems" in the classroom in order to develop
scienti�c methods;
heuristics;
reasoning
They can, also give sense to some concepts
and make the learners construct mathematical notions by
themselves
The
experimental
dimension in
mathematical
research
problems
Gilles Aldon
Viviane
Durand-
Guerrier
The context of
the research
Questions
The schoolcontext
The
experimental
part of maths
example 1
example 2
Presentation
of the resource
Research problem
"In a mountain hike one needs a goal, but the main interest of
hiking is not the goal but the walk"
Jean-Yves Girard (2007)
Using "research problems" in the classroom in order to develop
scienti�c methods;
heuristics;
reasoning
They can, also give sense to some concepts
and make the learners construct mathematical notions by
themselves
The
experimental
dimension in
mathematical
research
problems
Gilles Aldon
Viviane
Durand-
Guerrier
The context of
the research
Questions
The schoolcontext
The
experimental
part of maths
example 1
example 2
Presentation
of the resource
Research problem
"In a mountain hike one needs a goal, but the main interest of
hiking is not the goal but the walk"
Jean-Yves Girard (2007)
Using "research problems" in the classroom in order to develop
scienti�c methods;
heuristics;
reasoning
They can, also give sense to some concepts
and make the learners construct mathematical notions by
themselves
The
experimental
dimension in
mathematical
research
problems
Gilles Aldon
Viviane
Durand-
Guerrier
The context of
the research
Questions
The schoolcontext
The
experimental
part of maths
example 1
example 2
Presentation
of the resource
Research questions
1 starting with "classical" research problems;
2 studying the mathematical concepts possibly taught
through the resolution of the problem;
3 going from a mathematical situation to a situation for the
students;
4 focusing on the experimental dimensions in problem
solving
The
experimental
dimension in
mathematical
research
problems
Gilles Aldon
Viviane
Durand-
Guerrier
The context of
the research
Questions
The schoolcontext
The
experimental
part of maths
example 1
example 2
Presentation
of the resource
Research questions
1 starting with "classical" research problems;
2 studying the mathematical concepts possibly taught
through the resolution of the problem;
3 going from a mathematical situation to a situation for the
students;
4 focusing on the experimental dimensions in problem
solving
The
experimental
dimension in
mathematical
research
problems
Gilles Aldon
Viviane
Durand-
Guerrier
The context of
the research
Questions
The schoolcontext
The
experimental
part of maths
example 1
example 2
Presentation
of the resource
Research questions
1 starting with "classical" research problems;
2 studying the mathematical concepts possibly taught
through the resolution of the problem;
3 going from a mathematical situation to a situation for the
students;
4 focusing on the experimental dimensions in problem
solving
The
experimental
dimension in
mathematical
research
problems
Gilles Aldon
Viviane
Durand-
Guerrier
The context of
the research
Questions
The schoolcontext
The
experimental
part of maths
example 1
example 2
Presentation
of the resource
Research questions
1 starting with "classical" research problems;
2 studying the mathematical concepts possibly taught
through the resolution of the problem;
3 going from a mathematical situation to a situation for the
students;
4 focusing on the experimental dimensions in problem
solving
The
experimental
dimension in
mathematical
research
problems
Gilles Aldon
Viviane
Durand-
Guerrier
The context of
the research
Questions
The schoolcontext
The
experimental
part of maths
example 1
example 2
Presentation
of the resource
Methodology
Elaborating problems or �elds of problems
linked with mathematical concepts
allowing the students to shuttle between the experimental
part of the research and the structured construction of
mathematical knowledge
The
experimental
dimension in
mathematical
research
problems
Gilles Aldon
Viviane
Durand-
Guerrier
The context of
the research
Questions
The schoolcontext
The
experimental
part of maths
example 1
example 2
Presentation
of the resource
Methodology
Elaborating problems or �elds of problems
linked with mathematical concepts
allowing the students to shuttle between the experimental
part of the research and the structured construction of
mathematical knowledge
The
experimental
dimension in
mathematical
research
problems
Gilles Aldon
Viviane
Durand-
Guerrier
The context of
the research
Questions
The schoolcontext
The
experimental
part of maths
example 1
example 2
Presentation
of the resource
Methodology
Elaborating problems or �elds of problems
linked with mathematical concepts
allowing the students to shuttle between the experimental
part of the research and the structured construction of
mathematical knowledge
The
experimental
dimension in
mathematical
research
problems
Gilles Aldon
Viviane
Durand-
Guerrier
The context of
the research
Questions
The schoolcontext
The
experimental
part of maths
example 1
example 2
Presentation
of the resource
Methodology
Elaborating problems or �elds of problems
linked with mathematical concepts
allowing the students to shuttle between the experimental
part of the research and the structured construction of
mathematical knowledge
The
experimental
dimension in
mathematical
research
problems
Gilles Aldon
Viviane
Durand-
Guerrier
The context of
the research
Questions
The schoolcontext
The
experimental
part of maths
example 1
example 2
Presentation
of the resource
Methodology
develop speci�c tools allowing us to understand and to analyse
how the mathematical web is spun all around the objects which
are mobilised in the problem solving
The
experimental
dimension in
mathematical
research
problems
Gilles Aldon
Viviane
Durand-
Guerrier
The context of
the research
Questions
The schoolcontext
The
experimental
part of maths
example 1
example 2
Presentation
of the resource
The school context
The results are based on observations experienced in
classrooms with pupils and students between secondary school
and university
The
experimental
dimension in
mathematical
research
problems
Gilles Aldon
Viviane
Durand-
Guerrier
The context of
the research
Questions
The schoolcontext
The
experimental
part of maths
example 1
example 2
Presentation
of the resource
The experimental part of mathematics
Three examples
To break down 1 into the sum of fractions of numerator 1.
Can you �nd two distinct integers a et b such as: 1 =1
a+
1
b?
Can you �nd three distinct integers a, b and c such as: 1 =1
a+
1
b+
1
c?
Can you �nd four distinct integers a, b, c and d such as: 1 =1
a+
1
b+
1
c+
1
d?
Continue...
The
experimental
dimension in
mathematical
research
problems
Gilles Aldon
Viviane
Durand-
Guerrier
The context of
the research
Questions
The schoolcontext
The
experimental
part of maths
example 1
example 2
Presentation
of the resource
The experimental part of mathematics
Three examples
Regions inside the circle
To �nd the maximum number of regions inside a circle by joining
n points of a circle;
The
experimental
dimension in
mathematical
research
problems
Gilles Aldon
Viviane
Durand-
Guerrier
The context of
the research
Questions
The schoolcontext
The
experimental
part of maths
example 1
example 2
Presentation
of the resource
The experimental part of mathematics
Three examples
Polya urns.
An urn contains two balls: a white one and a black one. At each
time a ball is drawn from the urn. The contents of the urn are
then altered, puting one more ball in the urn of the same color
of the drawn ball. Study the dynamic of the urn.
The
experimental
dimension in
mathematical
research
problems
Gilles Aldon
Viviane
Durand-
Guerrier
The context of
the research
Questions
The schoolcontext
The
experimental
part of maths
example 1
example 2
Presentation
of the resource
Experiment in mathematics
Solving problems: linking a mathematical situation with our own
knowledge (Dias, 2005)
The
experimental
dimension in
mathematical
research
problems
Gilles Aldon
Viviane
Durand-
Guerrier
The context of
the research
Questions
The schoolcontext
The
experimental
part of maths
example 1
example 2
Presentation
of the resource
Experiment in mathematics
Our experiment �eld is constructed on our personal knowledge,
on familiar objects and uses, more or less, familiar tools (partic-
ularly true for technological tools)
The
experimental
dimension in
mathematical
research
problems
Gilles Aldon
Viviane
Durand-
Guerrier
The context of
the research
Questions
The schoolcontext
The
experimental
part of maths
example 1
example 2
Presentation
of the resource
Experiment in mathematics
1a+ 1
b= 1 hence a� b = ab
no a+ b = ab
then �a� b = �ab
we have made a great headway! (laugh)
I hope we are not going to have something like that in our
next assesment!
The
experimental
dimension in
mathematical
research
problems
Gilles Aldon
Viviane
Durand-
Guerrier
The context of
the research
Questions
The schoolcontext
The
experimental
part of maths
example 1
example 2
Presentation
of the resource
Experiment in mathematics
V : The smallest fraction with integers is one half; you can't
have a smaller one.
V : 1 isn't possible, the smallest fraction is 12.
T : Can you explain?
V : For the second question: a = 2; b = 3; c = 6 for the third
question: 3 a = 2; b = 3; c = 9; d = 18
R : Why is the �rst question impossible?
V : Write the �rst (fractions with numerator 1)
R : And why is it impossible?
V : In any case, a must be 2
R : Perhaps, is there an other fraction with a numerator 1
which gives 0.5...
The
experimental
dimension in
mathematical
research
problems
Gilles Aldon
Viviane
Durand-
Guerrier
The context of
the research
Questions
The schoolcontext
The
experimental
part of maths
example 1
example 2
Presentation
of the resource
Experiment in mathematics
V : The smallest fraction with integers is one half; you can't
have a smaller one.
V : 1 isn't possible, the smallest fraction is 12.
T : Can you explain?
V : For the second question: a = 2; b = 3; c = 6 for the third
question: 3 a = 2; b = 3; c = 9; d = 18
R : Why is the �rst question impossible?
V : Write the �rst (fractions with numerator 1)
R : And why is it impossible?
V : In any case, a must be 2
R : Perhaps, is there an other fraction with a numerator 1
which gives 0.5...
The
experimental
dimension in
mathematical
research
problems
Gilles Aldon
Viviane
Durand-
Guerrier
The context of
the research
Questions
The schoolcontext
The
experimental
part of maths
example 1
example 2
Presentation
of the resource
Experiment in mathematics
V : The smallest fraction with integers is one half; you can't
have a smaller one.
V : 1 isn't possible, the smallest fraction is 12.
T : Can you explain?
V : For the second question: a = 2; b = 3; c = 6 for the third
question: 3 a = 2; b = 3; c = 9; d = 18
R : Why is the �rst question impossible?
V : Write the �rst (fractions with numerator 1)
R : And why is it impossible?
V : In any case, a must be 2
R : Perhaps, is there an other fraction with a numerator 1
which gives 0.5...
The
experimental
dimension in
mathematical
research
problems
Gilles Aldon
Viviane
Durand-
Guerrier
The context of
the research
Questions
The schoolcontext
The
experimental
part of maths
example 1
example 2
Presentation
of the resource
Experiment in mathematics
V : The smallest fraction with integers is one half; you can't
have a smaller one.
V : 1 isn't possible, the smallest fraction is 12.
T : Can you explain?
V : For the second question: a = 2; b = 3; c = 6 for the third
question: 3 a = 2; b = 3; c = 9; d = 18
R : Why is the �rst question impossible?
V : Write the �rst (fractions with numerator 1)
R : And why is it impossible?
V : In any case, a must be 2
R : Perhaps, is there an other fraction with a numerator 1
which gives 0.5...
The
experimental
dimension in
mathematical
research
problems
Gilles Aldon
Viviane
Durand-
Guerrier
The context of
the research
Questions
The schoolcontext
The
experimental
part of maths
example 1
example 2
Presentation
of the resource
Experiment in mathematics
V : The smallest fraction with integers is one half; you can't
have a smaller one.
V : 1 isn't possible, the smallest fraction is 12.
T : Can you explain?
V : For the second question: a = 2; b = 3; c = 6 for the third
question: 3 a = 2; b = 3; c = 9; d = 18
R : Why is the �rst question impossible?
V : Write the �rst (fractions with numerator 1)
R : And why is it impossible?
V : In any case, a must be 2
R : Perhaps, is there an other fraction with a numerator 1
which gives 0.5...
The
experimental
dimension in
mathematical
research
problems
Gilles Aldon
Viviane
Durand-
Guerrier
The context of
the research
Questions
The schoolcontext
The
experimental
part of maths
example 1
example 2
Presentation
of the resource
Experiment in mathematics
V : The smallest fraction with integers is one half; you can't
have a smaller one.
V : 1 isn't possible, the smallest fraction is 12.
T : Can you explain?
V : For the second question: a = 2; b = 3; c = 6 for the third
question: 3 a = 2; b = 3; c = 9; d = 18
R : Why is the �rst question impossible?
V : Write the �rst (fractions with numerator 1)
R : And why is it impossible?
V : In any case, a must be 2
R : Perhaps, is there an other fraction with a numerator 1
which gives 0.5...
The
experimental
dimension in
mathematical
research
problems
Gilles Aldon
Viviane
Durand-
Guerrier
The context of
the research
Questions
The schoolcontext
The
experimental
part of maths
example 1
example 2
Presentation
of the resource
Experiment in mathematics
V : The smallest fraction with integers is one half; you can't
have a smaller one.
V : 1 isn't possible, the smallest fraction is 12.
T : Can you explain?
V : For the second question: a = 2; b = 3; c = 6 for the third
question: 3 a = 2; b = 3; c = 9; d = 18
R : Why is the �rst question impossible?
V : Write the �rst (fractions with numerator 1)
R : And why is it impossible?
V : In any case, a must be 2
R : Perhaps, is there an other fraction with a numerator 1
which gives 0.5...
The
experimental
dimension in
mathematical
research
problems
Gilles Aldon
Viviane
Durand-
Guerrier
The context of
the research
Questions
The schoolcontext
The
experimental
part of maths
example 1
example 2
Presentation
of the resource
Experiment in mathematics
V : The smallest fraction with integers is one half; you can't
have a smaller one.
V : 1 isn't possible, the smallest fraction is 12.
T : Can you explain?
V : For the second question: a = 2; b = 3; c = 6 for the third
question: 3 a = 2; b = 3; c = 9; d = 18
R : Why is the �rst question impossible?
V : Write the �rst (fractions with numerator 1)
R : And why is it impossible?
V : In any case, a must be 2
R : Perhaps, is there an other fraction with a numerator 1
which gives 0.5...
The
experimental
dimension in
mathematical
research
problems
Gilles Aldon
Viviane
Durand-
Guerrier
The context of
the research
Questions
The schoolcontext
The
experimental
part of maths
example 1
example 2
Presentation
of the resource
Experiment in mathematics
V : The smallest fraction with integers is one half; you can't
have a smaller one.
V : 1 isn't possible, the smallest fraction is 12.
T : Can you explain?
V : For the second question: a = 2; b = 3; c = 6 for the third
question: 3 a = 2; b = 3; c = 9; d = 18
R : Why is the �rst question impossible?
V : Write the �rst (fractions with numerator 1)
R : And why is it impossible?
V : In any case, a must be 2
R : Perhaps, is there an other fraction with a numerator 1
which gives 0.5...
The
experimental
dimension in
mathematical
research
problems
Gilles Aldon
Viviane
Durand-
Guerrier
The context of
the research
Questions
The schoolcontext
The
experimental
part of maths
example 1
example 2
Presentation
of the resource
Experiment in mathematics
Experiments allow us to conjecture but also to refute conjec-
tures;
The
experimental
dimension in
mathematical
research
problems
Gilles Aldon
Viviane
Durand-
Guerrier
The context of
the research
Questions
The schoolcontext
The
experimental
part of maths
example 1
example 2
Presentation
of the resource
Experiment in mathematics
The number of regions for 2 points is :
n 2
nb 2
The
experimental
dimension in
mathematical
research
problems
Gilles Aldon
Viviane
Durand-
Guerrier
The context of
the research
Questions
The schoolcontext
The
experimental
part of maths
example 1
example 2
Presentation
of the resource
Experiment in mathematics
The number of regions for 3 points is :
n 2 3
nb 2 4
The
experimental
dimension in
mathematical
research
problems
Gilles Aldon
Viviane
Durand-
Guerrier
The context of
the research
Questions
The schoolcontext
The
experimental
part of maths
example 1
example 2
Presentation
of the resource
Experiment in mathematics
The number of regions for 4 points is :
n 2 3 4
nb 2 4 8
The
experimental
dimension in
mathematical
research
problems
Gilles Aldon
Viviane
Durand-
Guerrier
The context of
the research
Questions
The schoolcontext
The
experimental
part of maths
example 1
example 2
Presentation
of the resource
Experiment in mathematics
The number of regions for 5 points is :
n 2 3 4 5
nb 2 4 8 16
The
experimental
dimension in
mathematical
research
problems
Gilles Aldon
Viviane
Durand-
Guerrier
The context of
the research
Questions
The schoolcontext
The
experimental
part of maths
example 1
example 2
Presentation
of the resource
Experiment in mathematics
The number of regions for 6 points is :
n 2 3 4 5 6
nb 2 4 8 16 31
The
experimental
dimension in
mathematical
research
problems
Gilles Aldon
Viviane
Durand-
Guerrier
The context of
the research
Questions
The schoolcontext
The
experimental
part of maths
example 1
example 2
Presentation
of the resource
Experiment in mathematics
nbn = 1 +
�n
2
�+
�n
4
�
The
experimental
dimension in
mathematical
research
problems
Gilles Aldon
Viviane
Durand-
Guerrier
The context of
the research
Questions
The schoolcontext
The
experimental
part of maths
example 1
example 2
Presentation
of the resource
Experiment in mathematics
It's also possible to do an experiment in the �eld of the graph
theory
Completing the graph in order to make it planar
Hence we have to count:
the vertices :
n +
�n
4
�
the edges :
n +
�n
2
�+ 2
�n
4
�
The
experimental
dimension in
mathematical
research
problems
Gilles Aldon
Viviane
Durand-
Guerrier
The context of
the research
Questions
The schoolcontext
The
experimental
part of maths
example 1
example 2
Presentation
of the resource
Experiment in mathematics
It's also possible to do an experiment in the �eld of the graph
theory
Completing the graph in order to make it planar
Hence we have to count:
the vertices :
n +
�n
4
�
the edges :
n +
�n
2
�+ 2
�n
4
�
The
experimental
dimension in
mathematical
research
problems
Gilles Aldon
Viviane
Durand-
Guerrier
The context of
the research
Questions
The schoolcontext
The
experimental
part of maths
example 1
example 2
Presentation
of the resource
Experiment in mathematics
It's also possible to do an experiment in the �eld of the graph
theory
Completing the graph in order to make it planar
Hence we have to count:
the vertices :
n +
�n
4
�
the edges :
n +
�n
2
�+ 2
�n
4
�
The
experimental
dimension in
mathematical
research
problems
Gilles Aldon
Viviane
Durand-
Guerrier
The context of
the research
Questions
The schoolcontext
The
experimental
part of maths
example 1
example 2
Presentation
of the resource
Experiment in mathematics
It's also possible to do an experiment in the �eld of the graph
theory
Completing the graph in order to make it planar
Hence we have to count:
the vertices :
n +
�n
4
�
the edges :
n +
�n
2
�+ 2
�n
4
�
The
experimental
dimension in
mathematical
research
problems
Gilles Aldon
Viviane
Durand-
Guerrier
The context of
the research
Questions
The schoolcontext
The
experimental
part of maths
example 1
example 2
Presentation
of the resource
Experiment in mathematics
Using the Euler's formula :
F = E � V + 2
The
experimental
dimension in
mathematical
research
problems
Gilles Aldon
Viviane
Durand-
Guerrier
The context of
the research
Questions
The schoolcontext
The
experimental
part of maths
example 1
example 2
Presentation
of the resource
Experiment in mathematics
Using the Euler's formula :
F = n +
�n
2
�+ 2
�n
4
�� n �
�n
4
�+ 2
The
experimental
dimension in
mathematical
research
problems
Gilles Aldon
Viviane
Durand-
Guerrier
The context of
the research
Questions
The schoolcontext
The
experimental
part of maths
example 1
example 2
Presentation
of the resource
Experiment in mathematics
Using the Euler's formula :
F =
�n
4
�+
�n
2
�+ 2
The
experimental
dimension in
mathematical
research
problems
Gilles Aldon
Viviane
Durand-
Guerrier
The context of
the research
Questions
The schoolcontext
The
experimental
part of maths
example 1
example 2
Presentation
of the resource
Experiment in mathematics
Using the Euler's formula :
Hence, the number of inside faces is:
F =
�n
4
�+
�n
2
�+ 1
The
experimental
dimension in
mathematical
research
problems
Gilles Aldon
Viviane
Durand-
Guerrier
The context of
the research
Questions
The schoolcontext
The
experimental
part of maths
example 1
example 2
Presentation
of the resource
Egyptian fractions
A di�culty is to transform a productive mathematical situation
into a productive didactical situation
"Setting up a real experimental approach, in which the
di�erent steps are not bypassed needs appropriate situations
and a demanding didactical management"
Mich�ele Artigue, 2007
The
experimental
dimension in
mathematical
research
problems
Gilles Aldon
Viviane
Durand-
Guerrier
The context of
the research
Questions
The schoolcontext
The
experimental
part of maths
example 1
example 2
Presentation
of the resource
Egyptian fractions
A di�culty is to transform a productive mathematical situation
into a productive didactical situation
"Setting up a real experimental approach, in which the
di�erent steps are not bypassed needs appropriate situations
and a demanding didactical management"
Mich�ele Artigue, 2007
The
experimental
dimension in
mathematical
research
problems
Gilles Aldon
Viviane
Durand-
Guerrier
The context of
the research
Questions
The schoolcontext
The
experimental
part of maths
example 1
example 2
Presentation
of the resource
Presentation of the resource
The aim of our work consists in suggesting class organisations
linked with didactical variables of the mathematical situation
Go
Voir
The
experimental
dimension in
mathematical
research
problems
Gilles Aldon
Viviane
Durand-
Guerrier
The context of
the research
Questions
The schoolcontext
The
experimental
part of maths
example 1
example 2
Presentation
of the resource
Polya's urn
An urn contains two balls: a white one and a black one. At
each time a ball is drawn from the urn. The contents of the
urn are then altered, puting one more ball in the urn of the
same color of the drawn ball. Study the contents of the urn.
The
experimental
dimension in
mathematical
research
problems
Gilles Aldon
Viviane
Durand-
Guerrier
The context of
the research
Questions
The schoolcontext
The
experimental
part of maths
example 1
example 2
Presentation
of the resource
Polya's urn
The
experimental
dimension in
mathematical
research
problems
Gilles Aldon
Viviane
Durand-
Guerrier
The context of
the research
Questions
The schoolcontext
The
experimental
part of maths
example 1
example 2
Presentation
of the resource
Polya's urn
The
experimental
dimension in
mathematical
research
problems
Gilles Aldon
Viviane
Durand-
Guerrier
The context of
the research
Questions
The schoolcontext
The
experimental
part of maths
example 1
example 2
Presentation
of the resource
Link between experiment and knowledge's
institutionalization
The experiments are local;
Institutionalization has to take into account the di�erent
approaches;
The mathematical analysis helps to understand these
di�erent approaches.
The
experimental
dimension in
mathematical
research
problems
Gilles Aldon
Viviane
Durand-
Guerrier
The context of
the research
Questions
The schoolcontext
The
experimental
part of maths
example 1
example 2
Presentation
of the resource
Link between experiment and knowledge's
institutionalization
The experiments are local;
Institutionalization has to take into account the di�erent
approaches;
The mathematical analysis helps to understand these
di�erent approaches.
The
experimental
dimension in
mathematical
research
problems
Gilles Aldon
Viviane
Durand-
Guerrier
The context of
the research
Questions
The schoolcontext
The
experimental
part of maths
example 1
example 2
Presentation
of the resource
Link between experiment and knowledge's
institutionalization
The experiments are local;
Institutionalization has to take into account the di�erent
approaches;
The mathematical analysis helps to understand these
di�erent approaches.
The
experimental
dimension in
mathematical
research
problems
Gilles Aldon
Viviane
Durand-
Guerrier
The context of
the research
Questions
The schoolcontext
The
experimental
part of maths
example 1
example 2
Presentation
of the resource
Link between experiment and knowledge's
institutionalization
* Distance between experiments and institutionalized
objects;
"Are you sure there is a real law" Student bac+1
* Distance between simulations and experiments
The
experimental
dimension in
mathematical
research
problems
Gilles Aldon
Viviane
Durand-
Guerrier
The context of
the research
Questions
The schoolcontext
The
experimental
part of maths
example 1
example 2
Presentation
of the resource
Link between experiment and knowledge's
institutionalization
* Distance between experiments and institutionalized
objects;
"Are you sure there is a real law" Student bac+1
* Distance between simulations and experiments